Tamper-proof Container

Abstract

A tamper-proof container, such as the modular compartmental type for holding pencil-type articles such as hypodermic syringes, pencils, pens, etc. The container is formed of first and second similarly molded units having guide means and fastening means thereon for permanently orienting and locking the units together. A tab must be fractured for removal of any one article from the container, the remaining succeeding articles in the container being precluded from removal due to the construction of projecting members therein.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to tamper-proof containers for holding articles and, in particular, to tamper-proof containers of the modular compartmental snap together type for holding pencil-type articles, such as hypodermic syringes, pencils, pens, etc.

At times, it is most important for security reasons or otherwise to prevent theft and maintain an accounting of certain packaged articles, such as hypodermic syringes. Heretofore, such containers have either been costly to manufacture, difficult to permanently assemble or deficient in providing non-access to remaining articles in a container once some of the articles have been removed therefrom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of this invention, therefore, to obviate the above-mentioned difficulties and to provide a container which is tamper-proof, simple to permanently assemble and relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

The container includes first and second similarly constructed units including, a first pair of opposing walls each having guide means and guide receiving means thereon, and a second pair of opposing walls, one of which is provided with a plurality of successively arranged tabs thereon. A projecting member extends between each tab and forms a pocket therewith at one end of the unit for receiving one end of an article, and receiving means are located near the other end of the unit for receiving the other end of the article. Fastening means are provided on each unit, the fastening means of one unit being cooperatively associated with the fastening means of the other unit, said units forming a compartmental container when one unit is inverted in face to face relationship with the other unit and urged together whereupon the guide means on one unit is inserted into the guide receiving means of the other unit and the fastening means of one unit is positively locked with the fastening means of the other unit, thereby preventing the separation of one unit from the other unit and precluding the removal of any article from the container except upon the fracturing of a tab.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one of the units;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the units;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along the lines 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the lines 4--4 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a view taken along the lines 5--5 of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the drawing, there is depicted a molded compartmental unit, generally referred to at 10, which is of a plastic material possessing slight resilient properties, such as polystyrene. A second molded compartmental unit, generally referred to at 10' is identical in construction, function and result as unit 10 and, therefore, the description of one will suffice for the description of the other. For the sake of simplicity, however, like reference numerals on unit 10' will be followed by the prime designation. It shall be seen that when one of the units is inverted and positioned face to face with the other, the units snap together to form a tamper-proof container, now to be described in detail.

Unit 10 is provided with a pair of opposing side walls 11--11 disposed in parallel relationship. Located on each side wall is a guide 12--12 which projects upwardly from the base of the unit and converges slightly inwardly near the top end thereof. Also located on each side wall are a pair of guides 13a--13a and 13b--13b, respectively, which project upwardly from the base of the unit to form respective receiving slots 13c--13c therebetween, the inner opposing top portions of the guides preferably being tapered to facilitate the reception of tabs 12'--12' of unit 10', to be described hereinafter.

Projecting from the base of unit 10 are a plurality of elements 15--15, preferably connected to projecting members 27--27 to facilitate stability thereto. Each of the elements 15--15 are provided with top portions so shaped to form hooks 15a--15a, that is surface 15b of each top portion extends angularly downwardly and abruptly inwardly, as surface 15c--15c, to form an angle, preferably between 60.degree. and 85.degree., with one side of the element. Also projecting from the base of unit 10 are a plurality of resilient elements 16--16 which are in parallel relationship to each other and to elements 15--15. The top portions 16a--16a of resilient elements 16--16 are identical to elements 15--15, that is, surface 16b of each top portion extends angularly downwardly and abruptly inwardly, as surface 16c--16c, to form an angle, preferably between 60.degree. and 85.degree. with one side of the element. Further, located on each resilient element 16--16, are a pair of laterally extending blinders 16d--16d which prevent lateral disengagement of hooks 16a--16a with hooks 15a'--15a', and vice versa when the aforesaid hooks are locked together in a manner now to be described.

It will now become apparent, as seen in FIG. 3, that when one unit, e.g. unit 10 is inverted with respect to unit 10', guides 12--12 of unit 10 are in alignment with respective receiving slots 13c'--13c' of unit 10' and guides 12'--12' of unit 10' are aligned with respective receiving slots 13c--13c of unit 10. In turn, hooks 15a'--15a' of unit 10' are oriented with hooks 16a--16a of unit 10 and hooks 15a--15a of unit 10 are oriented with hooks 16a'--16a' of unit 10'. As the units are pressed together, guides 12--12 and 12'--12' will pass through respective receiving slots 13c'--13c' and 13c--13c and in turn, relative sliding movement results between the angularly downward surfaces 15b--15b of elements 15 with the angularly downward surfaces 16b'--16b' of element 16', and between the angularly downward surfaces 15b'--15b' of element 15' with the angularly downward surfaces 16b--16b of element 16. During said relative sliding movement, the hooks temporarily bend until hook surfaces 15c'--15c' snap into engagement with hook surfaces 16c--16c, and hook surfaces 15c--15c snap into engagement with hook surfaces 16c'--16c' thereby causing the hooks to snap back to their normal vertical positions and, in turn, causing the unit to permanently lock together. It also is apparent that blinders 16d--16d and 16d'--16d' will prevent any lateral disengagement with their hooks 15a'--15a' and 15a--15a, respectively. As a result of the foregoing, units 10, 10' are oriented and permanently locked to each other, all of the guides and blinders preventing any lateral or horizontal movement of the units, and all of the hooks precluding any vertical movement of the units.

Located at one end of unit 10 is a wall 20 whose top surface is provided with a succession of arcuately shaped recesses 21--21, each recess being contiguously connected to each other by a flat surface 22--22. Located at the other end of the unit is a wall, generally referred to at 25, which includes a plurality of successive tabs 26--26, each tab being separated from the other by a projecting member 27--27. The tabs 26--26 are so disposed that each is in alignment with a respective recess 21, and each projecting member 27 is in alignment with a respective flat surface 22. Accordingly, pockets 30--30 are respectively formed as a result of the arrangement of the projecting members 27--27 with each of the tabs 26--26, each pocket being capable of receiving one end of an article 41 to be inserted therein, as described hereinafter.

Located on the base of unit 10 near wall 20 are a plurality of split-tapered sleeves 35--35, the sleeves tapering downwardly towards wall 20 for receiving the other end of the article to be inserted therein. Each sleeve is disposed between and in alignment with a respective tab 26 and a recess 21.

In operation, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5, one end 40 of article 41, such as a hypodermic syringe, is inserted into split-sleeve 35, and the other end 42 is then moved downwardly into pocket 30. The arrangement and structure of the compartmental components, as seen in FIG. 5, are such that each end of the article is snugly received in split sleeve 35 and pocket 30, respectively. Each of the pockets and split-sleeves of unit 10 and 10' are similarly filled.

As previously described, one unit is inverted with respect to the other such that guides 12'--12' of unit 10' are located within receiving slots 13c--13c of unit 10 and, similarly, guides 12--12 of unit 10 are located within receiving slots 13c'----c'. As the two units are pressed together, the guides are inserted into their respective slots, and hooks 15a--15a of unit 10 are snapped into a locking position with hooks 16a'--16a' of unit 10' to positively lock the units together and vice versa. As a result, as seen in FIG. 4, flat surfaces 22'--22' of unit 10' are in contact with the top surface of respective projecting members 27--27 of unit 10, and recesses 21'--21' are located over the top surface of respective tabs 26--26 thereby forming respective openings 45--45 therebetween. Similarly on the other end of the unit, flat surfaces 22--22 of unit 10 are in contact with the top surface of respective projecting members 27'--27' of unit 10', and recesses 21--21 are located over the top surface of respective tabs 26'--26', thereby forming respective openings 45'--45' therebetween. As seen in FIG. 5, therefore, the articles in one unit are disposed in opposing relationship to the articles in the other.

As a result of the units being locked in this position, there can be no removal of any of the articles unless a tab 26 is fractured. Thus, in the event one desires to remove an article from its compartment, one inserts his finger or an implement into opening 45--45 or 45'--45' and pulls the tab outwardly from the unit in a downwardly direction until the tab fractures, said fracture generally occurring in the area referred to as 46. Upon removal of the fractured tab, the end 42 of article 41 is grasped and withdrawn from the unit. It should be noted that when one article or any succeeding articles are removed, no access is provided to the remaining articles in view of projecting members 27--27 shielding same. The only way any individual article can be withdrawn is by fracturing the tab associated therewith. Accordingly, one may always have knowledge of the number of articles removed from the units by merely visually observing the number of tabs which have been fractured.

It should be understood that while a preferred embodiment has been described, numerous modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, while arcuately shaped recesses 21--21 have been provided on wall 20 for permitting access to the tabs 26--26, wall 20 can be linear and the top surfaces of the tabs provided with recesses.

Claims

I claim:

1. A tamper-proof container for holding articles, which comprises,

first and second similarly constructed units, each of said units including:

a first pair of opposing walls each having guide means and guide receiving means thereon,

a second pair of opposing walls, one of which is provided with a plurality of successively arranged tabs thereon,

a projecting member extending between each tab and forming a pocket therewith at one end of the unit for receiving one end of an article,

receiving means located near the other end of the unit, each receiving means being oriented with each formed pocket for receiving the other end of the article, and

fastening means connected to each unit, the fastening means of one unit being cooperatively associated with the fastening means of the other unit, said units forming a closed tamper-proof compartmental container when one unit is inverted in face to face relationship with the other unit and urged together, the guide means of one unit being inserted into the guide receiving means of the other unit and the fastening means of one unit being positively locked with the fastening means of the other unit thereby preventing the separation of one unit from the other unit and precluding the removal of any article from the container except upon the fracturing of a tab.

2. A container, according to claim 1, in which each unit is of a mold of plastic material.

3. A container, according to claim 2, wherein the other wall of the second pair of opposing walls is provided with a top surface having a succession of concave surfaces, each concave surface providing an access opening for its respective tab when the compartmental container is formed.

4. A container, according to claim 2, wherein the projecting member extends upwardly substantially to the height of the unit and extends inwardly towards the other end of the unit a sufficient distance to positively shield and insure lateral non-access to a succeeding article upon the fracturing of a preceding tab.

5. A container, according to claim 2, wherein the receiving means located near said other end of the unit is an open ended split-sleeve element whose article entrance end is of a larger diameter than its exit end.

6. A container, according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the fastening means of each unit is provided with a pair of laterally extending blinders for preventing any lateral disengagement of said fastening means when it is locked with the fastening means of the other unit.

7. A container, according to claim 6, wherein the fastening means includes a top portion which extends angularly downward and abruptly inward, there being relative sliding movement between the fastening means top portion of one unit with the fastening means top portion of the other unit as the said units are being urged together, said top portions locking together as the abruptly inward surfaces contact each other.

8. A container, according to claim 7, wherein the fastening means of each unit temporarily bends during the relative sliding movement of the respective top portions of the units, said top portions returning to their normal positions as their respective abruptly inward surfaces snap together.

9. A container, according to claim 8, wherein the angle formed by the angular downward surface with the abruptly inward surface of said top portion preferably is between 60.degree. and 85.degree..

10. A container, according to claim 9, wherein the second pair of opposing walls is provided with a succession of concave surfaces, each concave surface providing an access opening for its respective tab when the closed compartmental container is formed,

said projecting member extends upwardly substantially to the height of the unit and extends inwardly towards the other end of the unit a sufficient distance to positively shield and insure lateral non-access to a succeeding article upon the fracturing of a preceding tab, and

said receiving means located near the said other end of the unit is an open ended split-sleeve element whose article entrance end is of a larger diameter than its exit end.